Illuminated number sign



Nov. 11,3930.

W. F. KIEFER ILLUMINATED NUMBER SIGN Filed Aug. 19, 1929 I 'OH N D E LMJI A Patented Nov. 11, 1930 F UNITED, STATES WILLIAM FRANK KInrEn, or EVANSVILLE} mnQLeiaA,:Assrsnonf on ONE-HALF To MANSON LOUIS REICHERT, or VANDERBIIRGH COUNTYjIND'I ANA ILLUMINATED NUMBER; SIGN Application filed August 19, 192 9." seriau Nb. 386,933.

This invention relates to that general class of illuminated signs embodying a box having a transparent front bearing a name, number, or both, or any suitable lettering, and an electric lamp or bulb contained within the box.

The object of the invention is to provide an improved illuminated number sign of this general character, adaptable for residences or automobiles, wherein an electric transformer is provided within the box for the purpose of stepping-down the currentso that only a small amount of current will be consinned, thereby rendering the sign inexpensive to illuminate; and, further, to provide an improved construction of transformer and improved means on the box'for holding the transformer in position.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1, is a front view 'Fig. 2, is a front View of the inner or rear box orilluminating unit; 7 o Fig. 3, is a longitudinal section through the complete sign;

Fig. 4, is a plan view of the back of the inner box, showing the tongues before they are bent; and

Fig. 5, is an end view.

There is an outer metal box 1 which has an open front 2 and perforated ears 3, the latter serving to receive screws or other fastenings for attaching the sign to the building or automobile on which it is to be used.

The open front 2 is provided with a transparent pane 4, preferably of glass, bearing any suitable indicia as, for instance, the house number and the name of the occupant, as shown at 5. The pane 4rests against the inside of a flange 6 on the box 1.

The illuminating unit fits within the box 1 and bears against the pane 4, holding the latter in position against the flange 6, obviating the necessity for special fastenings for either the pane or the illuminatingunit.

The illuminating unit comprises a metal box 7 which is of the same shape as the box 1 and fitting against the walls thereof, the back of the box 7 being adapted to lie flush with the back of the box 1 so that, when the sign is affixed to the wall of a building, the

box 7 will be lield in positionwithout re struck-uptongues 10 and as the box 7 may bef'of light metal, these tongues are bendable;

' small 5 transformer for I the electric current supplied to the bulb 9, is shown atll,

The casing of the transformer haS' ears 12- which enab e th t nsfermer.t 'be's cur h' connected to the back of the box 'Zby'bending the'struck up'parts' lO over-the ears 12. This arrangement also enables the transformer to be removed at any time by bending back the ears 10. vThe circuit from the transformer to the socket 8, appears at 13 and the circuit which supplies the transformer 11 with current, is shown at 14. The opening 15 provided by striking up one of the ears 10, affords an outlet through which the circuit 14 may pass. The other opening 15 may be utilized to insert a tool for withdrawing the box 7 from within the box 1, when necessary or desired.

It will be observed that the illuminating unit is self-contained and may be removed as a unit from withinthe box 1 or readily applied to said box,

By using the transformer, a very minute current consumption results, making the cost of the illumination very small.

What I claim is: a

1. In an illuminated number sign, the combination with an outer box having means for its attachment to a wall or other support and provided with an open outer face surrounded by an inturned flange, of a transparent pane contained within the outer box and abutting said inturned flange, a self-o contained illuminating unit comprising an inner box having a back adapted to lie flush with the back of the outer box, said inner box being contained within, and fitting, the outer box and having an open outer face and also engaging the pane and holding it against the inturned flange, and illuminating means carried by the back of the inner box, said outer box holding the inner box in position and said inner box holding the pane in place, without requiring fastening means either for the inner box or for the pane.

2. In an illuminated number sign, the combination with an outer box having means for its attachment to a wall or other support and provided with an open outer face surrounded by an inturned flange, of a trans parent pane contained within the outer box and abutting said inturned flange, a self- J contained illuminating unit comprising an inner vbox having a back adapted to lie flush with the back of the outer box, said inner box being contained within, and fitting, the outer box and having an open outer face and also engaging the pane and holding it against the inturned flange, illuminating means carried by the back of the inner box, an electric transformer in circuit with a lamp, said transformer having ears, and struck-up tongues on the back of the inner box which engage with said ears to hold the transformer unitary with said inner box, said outer box holding the inner box in position and said inner box holding the pane in place, without requiring fastening means either for the inner box or for the pane.

In testimony; whereof I aflix my signature. "WILLIAM FRANK KIEFER. 

